Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, of Congo, top, is unable to get a last second shot off as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, right, defends and guard Reggie Jackson, left, looks on in the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, May 11, 2014, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 101-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Oklahoma City Thunder were rolling, then they let one get away.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were still grooving after Durant’s MVP speech. They ran out to a big lead but let it unravel at the end of the first half and late in the fourth quarter.

Sloppy defense, a couple of turnovers and somehow, some way, the Thunder is reeling all the way back to Oklahoma City.

The Thunder led by as many as 22 points in the first quarter in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. When the Clippers made a run in the second quarter, they never got closer than four points.

Darren Collison made the final two baskets for the Clippers, both on layups, as the Clippers rallied for a 101-97 victory Sunday at Staples Center.

Oklahoma City got Blake Griffin in foul trouble, and he was on the bench with five fouls with 3:40 left in the third quarter. But Griffin made a big three-point play to tie the game at 94.

Durant didn’t like a foul to the face by DeAndre Jordan as he went up for shot with 27 seconds left in the first half. Durant made the layup and flexed his muscles, too. The flagrant foul was downgraded to a personal foul, but the Thunder had a 55-44 lead and all the momentum in this game.

And then they lost it.

The Thunder thrived off much inspiration from Durant’s MVP speech. They’ll need to channel that again for Game 5.

The Thunder is heading back to Oklahoma City, but it is not in a good place.